Singapore A Men’s team maintained their top position with three victories in Water Polo Inter-Nations Cup
Singapore's Women's A Water Polo team reacts after drawing level with Thailand on Day 3 of the Inter-Nations Cup. PHOTO: CHEAH CHENG POH, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION
Singapore, 20 May 2022 – Day 3 of the Singapore Water Polo Inter-Nations Cup got underway with the clash between Indonesia and Malaysia, and the Indonesians bounced back from the shock defeat to Thailand yesterday by emerging 17-4 winners.
Revanza Rizky Rahman was in top form as he plundered 6 goals for the Indonesians, while Muhammad Fadhil added to the scoring with a hat-trick, with Hizkia Bimantoro, Hamid Firdaus and Fakri Mahmud scoring braces. Malaysia’s star man Bryan Wong, took his tally to 9 goals after 3 games as he scored a hat-trick to lead his side. Malaysia’s other goal came from Lai Wenhang.
Indonesia takes on Malaysia in the men's Water Polo Inter-Nations Cup 2022 competition. PHOTO: SK TECK, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION
The second game of day 3 saw a fast-improving Thailand team clinch their second straight victory when they beat the Philippines 15-6.
After losing their opening game to Singapore A, Thailand has now beaten both the SEA Games Gold Medalists and Silver Medalists in back-to-back games.
After an even first quarter, the Thais pulled away in the second to take a 4-1 lead at half-time and never looked back. Suteenan Kaewmanee helped himself to 4 goals, while Kreerati Pimpapak and Watcharawarong Ekchaona continued their hot hand in front of goal with a hat-trick each. Teodoro Roy Canete made it two hat-tricks in two games to lead the Philippines.
“We have pressure because the Philippines Team is one of the best teams in SEA and 2nd place in 2019 SEA games, but our players have courage and showed it on the field. Every player sticks to the plan and is in good form until the victory,” thanked Thai Coach Nuttawut Rughea.
Philippines vs Thailand in the men's competition. PHOTO: JIA XING, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION
Two-times match MVP Thai player Phatsakorn Maneejhon shared, “I think we play well and my teammate play very well that gave us victory today. We are happy for victory today because the Philippines Team is a good team and number 2 of SEA.
The final game of the Men’s competition on Day 3 saw Singapore A emerge victorious in the top of table clash over Singapore B in the Hometown Derby, with a convincing 11-2 win.
Singapore A proved too strong for their younger counterparts, as they held Singapore B scoreless until the final quarter. The victory was never in doubt for Singapore A, and it was Yip Yang who led the way with a hat-trick. Koh Jian Ying chipped in with two goals for Singapore A.
An all Singapore affair as Men's A team takes on Men's B team. PHOTO: CHEAH CHENG POH, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION
The win saw Singapore A maintain their place at the top of the table with three straight victories.
Day 3 of the women’s competition saw two teams looking for their first win of the competition as Singapore B took on Malaysia in the Causeway Derby and it was Malaysia that prevailed 7-4.
Fam Jia Shuan led Malaysia with three goals, along with teammates Elise Yin with two goals, Low Jia Yee and Wong Yu Xuan contributing a goal each.
Tang Yee Teng led Singapore B with 1 goal in the first quarter with teammates Loh Yu Xuan and Teri Choo contributing to the goals in the later in the third quarter, still unable to catch up.
Singapore's water polo women's A team in the match against Thailand. PHOTO: CHEAH CHENG POH, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION
The final game of Day 3 saw the heavyweight clash between Singapore A and Thailand, a rivalry that has been in place since 2011.
Our Singapore A Team, led by Koh Ting Ting put everything on the line in a nail-biting match against the defending champion, Thailand. Pushed through hits and interceptions, the girls fought till the end and reward themselves with a last-minute equalizer to the game in a draw!
The draw sets the team on 2nd placing, which will see them face off Malaysia tomorrow as the winner of the match will see themselves set for the Gold Medal Match on Sunday.
Saturday’s matches in the women’s competition will see Singapore B square off against Thailand and Singapore A against Malaysia. The men’s competition will see Malaysia taking on Thailand, the reunited rivals Singapore A taking on Indonesia and Singapore B taking on Philippines.
The Singapore Water Polo Inter-Nations Cup 2022 is open to spectators and tickets can be purchased at https://ticketmaster.sg/.